Gail Ann (Bruning) Lockard - Roper and Sons (2024)

She grew up on a farm right outside of Bruning where she helped her parents and two older brothers with everything from moving irrigation pipes to driving tractors. She had a pet chicken named Penny and a horse named Princess, which she could proudly mount from behind, flat-footed. Her jumping ability made her a shoe-in for the Bruning high school volleyball team. In addition to helping on the farm, playing sports, and studying, Gail was quite musical. She came from a family that loved music so, at age six, she started playing the piano. At age 12 she took up the clarinet and added the oboe at age 15. She was in the Bruning band and played as an accompanist for a girl’s trio. In 1965 she graduated Valedictorian.

Gail briefly attended Dana College before transferring to UNL where she (eventually) chose to focus on social work/psychology. She graduated with a BA in 1969. She then worked at the Regional Center while she completed her Masters in Social Work. Feeling temporarily “done” with school, she married her first husband, Ron Lockard and took a job at the Lancaster County Community Mental Health Center. But Gail couldn’t stay away from education for long. Always a lover of learning, Gail went back for her doctorate starting in the early 80s (she was always a little fuzzy on the dates because, as she said, she never really stopped being in school). Her road to a PhD was not straight or quick. Before she earned her PhD she had had her first (and only) child, Kathryn (Katy), switched jobs, and had gotten a divorce. But in 1992, as a single mom, Gail finished her doctorate: Gender, Age, and Money: A Study of Confidence and Competence. Soon after, she began working as a counselor at the UNL Health Center, where she remained until she retired in 2014. Despite retiring from UNL, Gail had no desire to stop working. She continued her part-time private practice, which she’d had going for 40+ years. Gail loved her clients and felt like they enriched her life in every way. She always felt honored to be able to share their joys and pains, to join in their celebrations and their accomplishments.

In the late 90s, Gail rekindled a romance with her high school sweetheart, Jerry Lahners. Simultaneously, Gail decided she wanted to rediscover her farm girl roots. Together, she and Jerry combined her renewed interest in farming with his long-time farming knowledge. They began the multi-year process of becoming certified organic farmers, purchasing several farms in the Bruning/Hebron area and turning them into organic farms. Eventually, they turned 300+ acres of farmland into certified organic land. Of the crops they grew, one of their favorites was organic popcorn, which they generously shared with friends and family (even shipping it out to Gail’s daughter and her friends in Maine).

Although she may be labeled by some as a workaholic, Gail still made time for an robust social life. Beginning in the early 80s, she was a deeply committed member of her ELCA Lutheran church in Lincoln, serving in just about every role (except Pastor) throughout her 40+ years as a member. Gail always considered her church family to be one of the biggest blessings in her life, as it enriched her life and kept her focused on being a servant of God.

Never one to sit still (unless to read a text-book or write an intake report), Gail’s many past-times throughout her life included water skiing, playing volleyball, gardening, traveling to wherever her daughter lived, chatting on the phone with friends and family (especially her brother Jim in Ohio), playing the piano, (especial duets with her brother, Roger), and reading anything with a practical application.

Everywhere Gail went, she was loved. She really listened to people, was exceptionally generous, was quick with a laugh, and never took herself seriously. Gail brought peace and happiness to those around her. Gail embraced her quirky side, proudly owned her nickname as “Classy Riff-raff” at Tina’s Cafe where she and her brother were Thursday morning regulars. After her cancer diagnosis, she lovingly referred to herself as The Baton, as she was passed from caregiver to caregiver. Gail’s kindness made loving her easy. And because of her gentle soul, others were drawn toward her like sunflowers to the sun.

Gail is survived by husband, Jerry Lahners of Hebron, NE; daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Katy, Ryan, and Miles Harkleroad of Portland, ME, brother and sister-in-law Jim and Marlene Bruning of Canal Winchester, OH, brother and sister-in-law Roger and Mary Bruning of Lincoln, NE and many other loving family members. Gail is preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held, with family being present, from 5:00-7:00pm on Tuesday, June 20 at Roper and Sons Funeral home, 4300 O St. The funeral will be on Wednesday, June 21 at 10:00 am at First Lutheran Church, 1551 S 70th St. Gail’s family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the funeral, luncheon to follow after the service. A graveside service will be at 3:00 pm that same afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Bruning, NE.

In lieu of flowers, please give memorials to Spirit of Hope Lutheran Church in Lincoln or your favorite charity.